Sicklepod rockcress Plant Care

Boechera falcatoria (Rollins) Dorn

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Boechera falcatoria is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by the common name Grouse Creek rockcress. It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it is known only from Box Elder County.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Sicklepod rockcress?

Plant Sicklepod rockcress in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Sicklepod rockcress Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Sicklepod rockcress?

Sicklepod rockcress (Boechera falcatoria) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Boechera genus. Sicklepod rockcress is native to Utah in the United States.

Sicklepod rockcress displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Sicklepod rockcress produces small white or purple flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Sicklepod rockcress?

Water a young or newly planted Sicklepod rockcress every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Sicklepod rockcress Need?

Sicklepod rockcress thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sicklepod rockcress Prefer?

Boechera falcatoria tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Sicklepod rockcress prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sicklepod rockcress?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sicklepod rockcress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Sicklepod rockcress?

Feed Sicklepod rockcress every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Sicklepod rockcress?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sicklepod rockcress is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Sicklepod rockcress?

Sicklepod rockcress can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Sicklepod rockcress?

Prune Sicklepod rockcress while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Sicklepod rockcress in Winter?

Sicklepod rockcress is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Sicklepod rockcress?

Sicklepod rockcress can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to boechera breweri plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Sicklepod rockcress Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Sicklepod rockcress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Sicklepod rockcress?

Sicklepod rockcress is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sicklepod rockcress Need?

Sicklepod rockcress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sicklepod rockcress is native to Utah in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Sicklepod rockcress as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Sicklepod rockcress is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Boechera genus — compare its care with other Boechera species on PlantoScan.

Boechera is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.

Sicklepod rockcress thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Boechera Species

Other Boechera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Boechera falcatoria (Rollins) Dorn, family Brassicaceae (first published in Brittonia 55(1): 3 (2003).) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sicklepod rockcress, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Sicklepod rockcress Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species